One of the biggest fears families have before a photo session is "We don't know how to pose!" The secret? The best family photos don't look posed at all. They look natural, relaxed, and authentic. Here are my go-to poses that work for every family.
The Golden Rule of Family Posing
Before we dive into specific poses, remember this: the camera loves connection and interaction. Rather than stiff, formal positioning, I'm always looking for moments where your family is genuinely engaging with each other. The poses below all prioritize natural movement and real emotion.
10 Family Photography Poses That Work
1. The Walking Shot
Have your family walk toward the camera or along a path. This creates natural body language and gives everyone something to do with their hands and bodies. It's much more forgiving than standing still!
2. Sitting Close Together
Sit on a bench, blanket, or steps with everyone close together. This pose naturally brings people into proximity and creates an intimate feel. Kids can sit between parents or on laps, which feels natural and loving.
3. The Piggyback
Perfect for young kids! One parent carries a child on their shoulders or back. It's playful, authentic, and the difference in height creates visual interest. Kids usually smile genuinely because they're having fun.
4. Forehead to Forehead
Have family members press their foreheads together in a circle or create a connected moment. This pose shows genuine affection and creates a beautiful intimate connection that photographs beautifully.
5. Sitting Back-to-Back
Sit back-to-back with someone, leaning into each other. It's comfortable, relaxed, and photographs well from the side or front. Great for couples or parents with one child.
6. The Embrace
A simple hug or embrace is timeless. Have one person hug from behind, or everyone embrace together. The natural warmth and connection translate beautifully to photos every single time.
7. Lying on a Blanket
Spread out on a blanket with heads close together and bodies radiating out like a sunburst. This aerial view creates a unique perspective and feels playful and relaxed. Kids especially love this one!
8. The Over-the-Shoulder Shot
Stand side by side, and have one person look over their shoulder while the other looks at the camera or toward them. This creates depth and interesting angles without looking stiff.
9. Playing or Interacting
Have your family do an actual activity—blow bubbles, play with a puppy, toss a ball, dance, or tickle the kids. Real interaction and laughter create the most authentic, joyful photos.
10. The In-Between Moment
Sometimes the best photos happen when we stop trying to pose. Give my camera permission to capture those in-between moments—the laugh, the hug goodbye, the moment someone looks at each other. These authentic moments often become the favorites.
Posing Tips for Success
Relax Your Shoulders
Tensed shoulders look stiff. Remind family members to drop their shoulders and relax their neck. It instantly makes poses look more natural and creates better body lines.
Create Triangles
When positioning groups, try creating triangles with your heads and bodies rather than standing in a straight line. This is naturally more flattering and visually interesting.
Use Different Heights
Vary where people stand, sit, or kneel. Having everyone at the same height looks flat. Mix it up to create dimension and visual interest.
Angle Your Bodies
Rarely pose directly toward the camera. Angle your bodies at 45 degrees for a more flattering, slimming effect. This works even when you're being silly and playful.
What About Kids?
Kids are the wild card—and that's what makes family photos fun! Here's my approach: Give kids something to do (walk, play, jump) rather than asking them to stand still. Genuine joy and natural movement always trumps perfect poses.
The Real Secret
Here's what I've learned after thousands of family photos: the best pose is the one where your family forgets they're being photographed. When you're connected to each other, laughing, and genuinely enjoying the moment—that's when the magic happens. My job is to capture that magic, not create rigid perfection.